Code: Precept (Court enforcement order)
Description: (Precept – Court Order To Make Building Safe) is a special court order that lets the City of New York enter a property and do work to remove unsafe or dangerous conditions. This order is usually used when an owner does not fix serious Unsafe Building or housing code problems and the court authorizes HPD or another agency to repair, seal, or demolish the building.
Practical Meaning: (Precept) means a judge has given the City legal power to go onto your property and do work like sealing, shoring, or even demolishing parts of the building to remove danger. After a precept, the City can bill the owner for the costs and may place a lien on the property if the bill is not paid.
Where You May See It: Unsafe Building letters from DOB, HPD or Housing Court papers, court decisions about building safety, legal notices from the City describing demolition or emergency repair work, title report or lien search documents.
Why It Matters: A precept means the situation is serious: the City can act even if the owner refuses access, and the owner can still be charged and face liens and further enforcement. For a homeowner, it usually comes after long non‑compliance, so it is a strong warning to fix unsafe conditions before the court gives this power to the City.